Hip Bone and Local Musculature

Causes

Hip pointers are caused by a direct blow to the bony part of the pelvis. This commonly occurs in when the pelvis comes into contact with a hard object, like a helmut or the boards.. It can also occur by taking a hard fall onto the hip.

Risk Factors

Participating in contact sports increases your chance of developing a hip pointer. Football players and hockey players are especially at risk. Hip pointers are also more common while playing basketball and soccer.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a hip pointer include:

Severe pain

Tenderness

Pain with activity

Swelling

Bruising

Soreness

Muscle spasms

Decreased range of motion

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may be referred to specialist. An orthopedist focuses on bones and joints. A sports medicine physician focuses on sport-related injuries.

Images may need to be taken of structures inside your body. This can be done with
x-ray.

Treatment

Hip pointers are treated with:

Rest—this may include the use of crutches to move around

Ice

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

For severe pain, some athletes may receive an injection of a numbing medicine and/or steroid directly into the hip

Physical therapy to help you regain mobility and build muscle strength

It may take several weeks to heal and for normal movement to return. Check with your doctor about a timeline to return to normal activities. You may be able to return to activity as soon as you feel you are able.

Prevention

Hip pointers occur through direct blows to the affected area. This is often accidental. As a result, not all hip pointers can be prevented. However, make sure to wear proper sports equipment and padding to decrease your chance of any injury.

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